Waltey
Bela mačka
008 The White Cat
Mother's Nursery Tales · Katharine PyleO besedilu
Bela mačka
- Vir
- Mother's Nursery Tales
- Avtor
- Katharine Pyle
- Jezik branja
- Slovenščina
- Jezik izvirnika
- English
- Čas branja
- 13 min branja
- Obseg
- 10 strani
- Naslov izvirnika
- 008 The White Cat
O izvirniku
Mother's Nursery Tales
Štiriintrideset zgodovinskih literarnih priredb starejših pravljic, ki jih je Pyle tudi ilustrirala. Bralni jezik je Slovenščina, izvirnik pa prihaja iz vira Mother's Nursery Tales v jeziku English.
Besedilo
Bela mačka
Nekoč je živel kralj, ki je imel tri sinove. Vse tri je tako nežno ljubil, da mu je bil vsak ljubši od drugih dveh. Tako zelo jih je imel rad, da se ni mogel odločiti, kateremu naj zapusti kraljestvo. Dolgo je premišljeval, nato pa je poklical svojega modrega starega svetovalca in ga prosil za nasvet.
»Vaše veličanstvo,« je rekel svetovalec, »vse tri kraljeviče imate enako radi, zato vam svetujem, da kraljestvo zapustite tistemu, ki vas ima najrajši.«
»Toda ne vem, kateri me ima najrajši,« je rekel kralj. »Potem jim naložite tri naloge. Tisti, ki jih bo najbolje opravil in se najbolj potrudil, da bi vam ustregel, vas gotovo najbolj ljubi.«
Ta nasvet je bil kralju všeč, zato je dal poklicati svoje tri sinove in jim povedal, kaj je sklenil. »Zelo si želim,« je dejal, »majhnega psička, ki bi me razveseljeval. Dajem vam leto dni, da mi poiščete najmanjšega in najlepšega psička na svetu. Kdor mi bo prinesel takšnega psička, bo dobil tretjino mojega kraljestva.«
Brž ko so kraljeviči to slišali, so komaj čakali, da se odpravijo iskat takšnega psička. Starejša brata sta bila prepričana, da ga bo našel eden od njiju, saj o najmlajšem bratu nista imela posebno dobrega mnenja. Vsak je odjezdil v veliko mesto in tam obiskal najboljše trgovce s psi. Najstarejši sin je kupil belega psička, ki ni bil večji od majhnega mucka in je bil nadvse lep in igriv. Drugi sin je kupil rjavega psička, tako majhnega, da se je lahko zvil na njegovi dlani. Oba sta bila zadovoljna s svojo izbiro in sta odjezdila domov, ne da bi iskala naprej.
Kralj je bil navdušen nad psičkoma, ki sta mu ju prinesla, in sinova sta želela, naj takoj odloči, kateri si zasluži kraljestvo, toda kralj tega ni hotel storiti. »Ne, ne,« je rekel, »počakati moramo, da pride vajin brat. Težko bo našel psička, ki bi bil tako lep kakor ta dva, a vendar je prav, da počakamo, dokler se ne vrne ali dokler ne mine leto dni.«
Medtem je najmlajši kraljevič jezdil naprej in naprej, veliko dlje kakor njegova brata. Povsod je spraševal po psih in pripeljali so mu jih na stotine: velike in majhne, debele in suhe, črne in bele, sive, rjave in rumene. Toda nobeden ni bil takšen, kakršnega si je kraljevič želel.
Naposled je nekega dne prišel v globok gozd. Razbesnela se je nevihta; kraljevič je bil od dežja premočen do kože in ves blaten. Pred seboj je zagledal luč, ki je sijala med drevesi, in odjezdil proti njej. Upal je, da bo tam našel zavetje za čez noč.
Kako se je začudil, ko se je približal luči in videl, da prihaja iz veličastne palače, zgrajene tu v globokem gozdu, daleč od vseh mest. Kraljevič je potrkal na vrata in ta so se takoj odprla pred njim. Vstopil je in se ozrl naokrog, vendar ni videl nikogar, čeprav so nevidne roke za njim zaprle vrata. Nevidna roka ga je prijela za njegovo in ga skozi več sob popeljala v lepo izbo, ki je bila očitno pripravljena zanj. Slekli so mu mokra in blatna oblačila ter ga oblekli v belo in srebrno opravo; a ves ta čas ni videl nikogar.
Nato so ga odpeljali v slavnostno dvorano, kjer je bila pripravljena imenitna pojedina. Ko je kraljevič stal tam in se razgledoval, so nenadoma zadonele trobente; vrata nasproti njega so se na stežaj odprla in v dvorano je vstopil nenavaden sprevod. Prva je po zadnjih nogah prikorakala majhna in zelo lepa bela mačka. Oblečena je bila v črno, nosila je dolgo črno tančico in krono iz ebenovine. Za njo so prihajale druge mačke. Nekatere so bile oblečene kakor dvorne dame, druge kakor dvorjani, tretje kakor trobentači.
Bela mačka je stopila h kraljeviču in mu zaželela dobrodošlico. »Videla sem vas, ko ste jezdili skozi gozd,« je rekla, »in ta pojedina je pripravljena za vas. Pridite, kraljevič, sediva za mizo in jejva.«
Mačka je nato sedla na čelo mize in pomignila kraljeviču, naj sede poleg nje. Nevidne roke so jima takoj postregle z najizbranejšo in najokusnejšo hrano. Mačka je jedla z nežnimi, uglajenimi gibi in kraljevič je opazil, da se ni dotaknila ničesar razen nenavadno pripravljenih ptičev in malo smetane.
Sam je bil lačen in je pokusil vse jedi, Bela mačka pa se je medtem z njim pogovarjala tako pametno in duhovito, da je bil nad njo očaran.
Po večerji se je Bela mačka poslovila od njega in nevidne roke so ga popeljale v razkošno spalnico, kjer je preživel noč. Ko se je naslednje jutro prebudil, je našel pripravljeno zeleno lovsko obleko, visoke jahalne škornje in klobuk s perjanico. Nevidne roke so ga oblekle, nato pa so mu postregle v zajtrkovalnici, okrašeni s satenastimi zavesami, izvezenimi z zlatom.
Ko je pojedel, se je kraljevič odpravil iskat Belo mačko. Našel jo je na dvorišču. S svojimi spremljevalkami in nekaj mački, oblečenimi v lovce, se je ravno pripravljala na lov. Povabila je kraljeviča, naj gre z njimi, in z veseljem je sprejel vabilo.
Pred stopnice palače so pripeljali trop opic, vse osedlane in obrzdane. Kraljevič je začudeno gledal, kako je Bela mačka skočila na hrbet največji in najlepši opici. Tudi druge mačke so zajahale svoje opice, ker pa je bil kraljevič prevelik, da bi jezdil na opici, so mu pripeljali velikega lesenega konja na kolesih. To se mu je zdelo tako smešno, da je že hotel odkloniti, toda Bela mačka ga je tako vljudno povabila nanj, da ga je bilo sram reči ne. Skočil je na hrbet lesenega konja in takoj začutil, kako se ta pod njim premika in oživlja, kakor da bi bil živ. Mačji lovci so zatrobili v rogove in lovska druščina se je odpravila. Bela mačka in kraljevič sta jezdila na čelu, kraljevič pa je ugotovil, da se leseni konj kotali tako gladko in hitro, da si prijetnejše ježe ne bi mogel želeti.
Ves dan so lovili po gozdu, zvečer pa je bila v palači spet velika pojedina, tokrat z glasbo in plesom. Plesalo je šest velikih črnih mačkov v oblačilih, posutih z bleščicami, njihovi skoki, poskoki in obrati pa so bili čudoviti. Kraljevič se še nikoli v življenju ni tako dobro zabaval.
Dan za dnem je mineval, kraljevič pa je še vedno ostajal v palači Bele mačke. Tam je bil tako srečen, da je povsem pozabil na očeta in na kraljestvo, ki si ga je upal pridobiti. Do konca leta so manjkali le še trije dnevi, ko se je nenadoma spomnil svojega opravka. Obšla ga je groza, saj je bilo zdaj prepozno, da bi iskal majhnega psička, in bal se je, da je izgubil vsako možnost, da bi dobil kraljestvo.
Toda Bela mačka je opazila njegovo stisko. »Ne obupujte, kraljevič,« je rekla. »Vem, zaradi kakšne naloge ste prišli sem, in pripravljena sem vam pomagati.« Nato mu je izročila želod. »Tukaj,« je rekla, »vzemite ga in v njem boste našli, kar iščete.«
Kraljevič je pomislil, da se mačka norčuje iz njega, toda velevala mu je, naj prisloni želod k ušesu in posluša. Ko je to storil, je iz želoda zaslišal lajež, tako tenak in tih kakor mišje cviljenje.
»Ne odprite ga, dokler ne pridete domov,« je rekla Bela mačka. »Ko bo vaš oče videl, kaj je v njem, bo vedel, da si prav vi zaslužite kraljestvo.«
Kraljevič se je mački zahvalil, zajahal svojega konja, ki so ga pripeljali iz hleva, in odjezdil domov. Tik preden je prispel do očetove palače, je od nekega berača kupil grdega psa in ga vzel s seboj.
Ko je vstopil v palačo, se je takoj napotil v dvorano, kjer je oče sedel na prestolu, ob njem pa njegova starejša sinova. Ko sta kraljeviča zagledala najmlajšega brata, ki je prišel na dvor z grdim psom za petami, sta se glasno in porogljivo zasmejala. Zdaj sta bila povsem prepričana, da bo kraljestvo pripadlo njima.
Kralj je bil silno užaljen. Z mladim kraljevičem je spregovoril osorno. »Zakaj vodiš na moj dvor tako grdo ščene?« ga je vprašal. »Ali tako malo spoštuješ moje želje, da mi prineseš takšnega psa?«
Kraljevič pa je krotko odgovoril: »Dragi oče, potrpite za trenutek in morda vam bom lahko ponudil nekaj, kar vam bo bolj všeč.« Nato je izvlekel želod in ga odprl. V njem je bila drobcena satenasta blazinica, na njej pa je ležal tako majhen in tako ljubek psiček, da je kralj ostrmel od začudenja. Komaj je verjel svojim očem.
»Resnično si zaslužiš, da bi ti pri priči izročil kraljestvo,« je vzkliknil, »toda obljubil sem, da bodo tri preizkušnje, preden ga dam kateremu od vas.«
Kralj je nato kraljevičem povedal, da želi kos muslina, tako finega in tankega, da bi ga bilo mogoče potegniti skozi šivankino uho. Kdor se bo najbolje odrezal, bo dobil vsaj del kraljestva.
Trije kraljeviči so se takoj odpravili po novem opravku. Starejša brata sta kakor prej poiskala trgovce v velikih mestih, najmlajši kraljevič pa je odjezdil naravnost v grad Bele mačke.
Mačka ga je prijazno sprejela. »Vem, kaj se zahteva od vas,« je rekla. »Ne belite si glave s tem. Ostanite tu pri meni, in ko pride pravi čas, boste dobili, kar potrebujete.«
Tako je kraljevič ostal v palači Bele mačke leto dni brez treh dni in čas mu je mineval še prijetneje kakor prej. Ob koncu tega časa mu je Bela mačka dala oreh. »Vzemite ga,« je rekla, »in ga ne odprite, dokler ne boste spet doma. V njem boste našli, kar si želite.«
Kraljevič je vzel oreh in odjezdil. Ko je prispel na dvor, sta bila brata že tam. Vsak je prinesel kos muslina, tako finega, da ga je bilo mogoče potegniti skozi uho igle za krpanje, skozi uho igle za batist pa ga nista mogla spraviti.
Nato je tretji kraljevič vzel iz žepa oreh in ga strl. Pričakoval je, da bo v njem zagledal kos muslina, namesto tega pa je našel le lešnik. Strl je lešnik in v njem je bila češnjeva koščica. Strl je češnjevo koščico in v njej je bilo pšenično zrno. Kraljevič se je začel bati, da ga je Bela mačka prevarala in da bo izgubil kraljestvo. Brata pa sta se glasno smejala in se norčevala iz njega.
»Kakšne norčije zganjaš z nami?« sta ga vprašala. »Če imaš muslin, nam ga pokaži, če ga nimaš, pa priznaj očetu, da ti ni uspelo.«
Kraljevič jima ni odgovoril, temveč je strl pšenično zrno, v njem pa je bilo proseno zrno. Srce mu je upadlo. Vendar je strl še proseno zrno in v njem je bil kos muslina, ki mu ga je obljubila mačka. Razgrnil ga je in blaga je bilo vatle in vatle, vsega tako finega kakor pajčevina. Takšne tkanine še nihče ni videl. Kralj jo je gledal, se čudil in jo občudoval. Muslin je bil tako fin, da ga je bilo mogoče potegniti ne le skozi uho igle za krpanje, temveč tudi skozi uho igle za batist.
»To je čudovita tkanina,« je kralj rekel mlademu kraljeviču. »Res si spet zaslužil kraljestvo, toda preden ga lahko komu izročim, je treba opraviti še eno nalogo. Želim, da mi pripeljete najlepšo kraljično na svetu. Kdor bo to storil, bo dobil vsaj polovico kraljestva.«
Ko sta starejša brata to slišala, se jima je mudilo na pot. Najmlajši brat je očetu že prinesel najmanjšega in najlepšega psička na svetu ter najfinejši kos muslina, toda z nekaj sreče bi mu eden od njiju še vedno lahko pripeljal najlepšo kraljično. Odpotovala sta v daljna kraljestva, kjer so živele kraljične, ki so slovele po svoji lepoti; najmlajši kraljevič pa ni odjezdil nikamor drugam kakor v palačo Bele mačke.
Mačka ga je sprejela še prijazneje kakor prej. »Vem, kaj ste prišli iskat,« je rekla. »Ta naloga ni tako lahka kakor prejšnji. A nikar ne obupujte. Ko pride pravi čas, vam bom pomagala.«
Dnevi so v gradu Bele mačke spet prijetno minevali in kraljevič je z veseljem ostajal tam. Bil je tako srečen, da je minilo skoraj celo leto, do konca je manjkal le še en dan, preden se je spet zamislil nad svojo nalogo. Nekega jutra se je prebudil in se spomnil, da mora biti naslednji dan v kraljevi palači z najlepšo kraljično na svetu, če hoče dobiti kraljestvo. »Gorje, gorje!« je vzkliknil. »Kraljestvo je zame gotovo izgubljeno. Nimam več časa, da bi iskal kraljično, poleg tega pa je do palače tri dni ježe. Preden prispem tja, bo kraljestvo gotovo že razdeljeno med moja brata.«
»Ali vam nisem obljubila, da vam bom pomagala?« je vprašala mačka. »Zakaj se vznemirjate? Če boste storili natanko tako, kakor vam rečem, bo kraljestvo vaše; pa ne le to kraljestvo, temveč tudi druga.«
Nato je mačka kraljeviču rekla, naj izvleče meč in ji odseka glavo, toda kraljevič tega ni hotel storiti. Že ob sami misli na to ga je obšla groza.
Bela mačka je začela bridko jokati. »Česa vse nisem storila za vas!« je vzkliknila. »Vi pa še te ene stvari nočete storiti zame.« Tako bridko je jokala in tožila, da je kraljevič nazadnje ni mogel več zavračati. Izvlekel je meč, da bi mački odsekal glavo, obenem pa zaprl oči, da mu ne bi bilo treba gledati tega krutega dejanja.
Ko je spet odprl oči, se je silno začudil: pred njim ni bilo več mačke, temveč prelepa kraljična, ki se mu je smehljala. Takšne lepote ni videl še nikoli.
»Kraljevič,« je rekla kraljična, »rešili ste me krute usode. Ko sem bila še dojenčica, so me vile odnesle k sebi in pri njih sem živela kakor njihova hči, dokler nisem odrasla. Tedaj sem jih razjezila, ker se nisem hotela poročiti z zelo bogatim in grdim pritlikavcem, ki je bil njihov prijatelj. Mene in vse moje spremljevalce so zato spremenile v mačke in v tej podobi smo morali živeti, dokler mi kak mlad kraljevič dobrega srca ne bi odsekal glave. Vi ste to storili in zdaj smo spet vsi dobili svojo pravo podobo. To mi pove, da so mi vile odpustile in mi bodo vrnile kraljestvi, ki mi po pravici pripadata.«
Kraljična, ki ni bila več mačka, je nato ukazala, naj pred vrata pripeljejo lesenega konja. S kraljevičem sta ga zajahala in oddirjala tako hitro, da jima je veter žvižgal mimo ušes. Pot, za katero bi potrebovala tri dni, sta opravila v manj kot enem dnevu, in ko je kraljevič pripeljal kraljično na dvor, so morali vsi priznati, da si je zdaj res pošteno zaslužil kraljestvo. Tudi njegova brata sta pripeljala domov lepi kraljični, toda nobena se po lepoti ni mogla primerjati z nevesto najmlajšega kraljeviča; obljubila mu je namreč, da bo postala njegova žena.
Brž ko so pripravili svatovsko gostijo, sta se kraljična in mladi kraljevič poročila. Ker je kraljična že imela dve svoji kraljestvi, je prosila starega kralja, naj svoje kraljestvo razdeli med starejša sinova. Tako se je tudi zgodilo, starejša kraljeviča sta se poročila z lepoticama, ki sta ju pripeljala domov, in vsi so odtlej živeli v ljubezni in sreči.
Izvirnik
008 The White Cat
Naslednje strani prikazujejo izvirno besedilo za primerjavo.
There was once a king who had three sons, and he loved them all so tenderly that each one was dearer to him than the others. He loved them all so well that he could not make up his mind to which one to leave his kingdom. He thought and thought, and then he called his wise old councilor to him and asked his advice.
“Your Majesty,” said the Councilor, “you love all three of the princes equally, and so my advice is to leave the kingdom to the one who loves you best.”
“But I do not know which one loves me best,” said the King.
“Then set them three tasks. The one who performs the tasks the best, and who takes the most trouble to please you,—he must be the one who bears you the most love.”
This advice pleased the King, and he sent for his three sons, and told them what he had decided to do. “I have,” said he, “a great wish for a little dog to amuse me. I will give you a year in which to find me the smallest and prettiest little dog in the world. Whichever of you will bring me such a dog shall receive a third of my kingdom.”
As soon as the princes heard this they were eager to set out in search of such a dog. The two older brothers were sure one of them would find it, for they did not think much of their younger brother. Each one rode away to a great city, and went to the best dog dealers there. The eldest son bought a little white dog no larger than a small kitten, and very pretty and playful. The second son bought a red dog so small it could curl up in the palm of his hand. Each was content with his choice, and rode home without searching further.
The King was delighted with the dogs they brought, and his sons wished him to decide at once as to which of them deserved the kingdom, but this the King would not do. “No, no,” said he, “we must wait until your brother comes. He can hardly find another dog as pretty as these, but still it is only right to wait until he returns, or until the year is up.”
Meanwhile the youngest prince had ridden on and on, much farther than either of his other brothers. Everywhere he asked for dogs, and hundreds of them were brought to him, big and little, fat and thin, black and white, and gray and red and yellow. But not one of them was what the Prince wanted.
At last one day he came to a deep forest. A storm had risen; the Prince was wet to the skin with rain, and covered with mud. He saw a light before him shining through the trees, and he rode toward it. He hoped he might find there some shelter for the night.
What was his surprise, as he drew near the light, to see it came from a magnificent palace that had been built here in the deep forest far away from any city. The Prince knocked at the door and at once it opened before him. He went in and looked about him, but he saw no one, though invisible hands closed the door behind him. An unseen hand took his and he was led through several rooms to a handsome chamber that seemed to have been made ready for him. His wet and muddy clothes were removed and he was dressed in a suit of white and silver; but with all this he still saw no one.
He was then led to a banquet hall where a fine feast was laid out.
Suddenly, while the Prince stood looking about him there was a sound of trumpets; the doors opposite to him swung open, and a strange procession marched into the room. First, walking upright came a small and very pretty white cat. She was dressed all in black, and wore a long black veil, and an ebony crown. She was followed by other cats. Some of these were dressed as ladies-in-waiting, some as courtiers, and some as trumpeters.
The White Cat came up to the Prince and bade him welcome. “I saw you as you rode through the forest,” she said, “and this feast was made ready for you. Come, Prince, let us take our places at the table and eat.”
The cat then seated herself at the head of the table and motioned the Prince to sit beside her.
Unseen hands at once served them with the most rare and delicious dishes. The cat ate daintily, and the Prince noticed that she touched nothing but some oddly cooked birds, and some cream.
He himself was hungry and ate of everything, and while he ate the White Cat talked to him with so much sense and wit that he was delighted with her.
After supper the White Cat left him and he was led by invisible hands to a magnificent chamber, where he spent the night.
The next morning when he awoke he found a hunting-suit of green laid out for him, and high riding-boots and a plumed hat. Unseen hands dressed him, and food was served to him in a breakfast-room hung about with curtains of satin embroidered with gold.
After he had eaten, the Prince went in search of the White Cat. He found her in the courtyard. She and her attendants and several cats dressed as huntsmen were about to set out on a hunt. She invited the Prince to go with them, and he gladly accepted.
A troop of monkeys all saddled and bridled were led up to the palace steps. The Prince looked on in wonder while the White Cat sprang upon the back of the largest and finest monkey. The other cats also mounted, but as the Prince was too large to ride a monkey a large wooden horse on wheels was brought for him to ride. This seemed so absurd to the Prince that he was about to refuse, but the White Cat motioned him to it so politely that he was ashamed to say no. He sprang to the back of the wooden steed, and at once he felt it move and stir under him as though it were alive. The cat-huntsmen sounded their horns, and away the hunting-party went. The White Cat and the Prince rode first, and the Prince found the wooden horse rolled along so smoothly and swiftly that nothing could have been pleasanter.
The day was spent in hunting through the forest, and in the evening there was another grand feast at the palace, this time with music and dancing. The dancers were six large black cats dressed in spangled clothes, and their leaps and bounds and twirlings were wonderful. The Prince had never been so well amused in his life before.
Day after day slipped by, and still the Prince stayed at the White Cat’s palace, and he was so happy there that he quite forgot his father and the kingdom he had hoped to win. The year had passed, all but three days, when suddenly the Prince remembered his errand. He was filled with dismay, for now it was too late for him to seek for a little dog, and he feared he had lost all chance of winning the kingdom.
But the White Cat saw his trouble. “Do not be dismayed, Prince,” she said. “I know the errand that brought you here, and I am ready to help you.” She then handed him an acorn. “Here,” she said, “take this and you will find in it the thing you seek.”
The Prince thought the cat was mocking him, but she bade him put the acorn to his ear and listen. When he did this he could hear from within the acorn a sound of barking as thin and small as the squeaking of a mouse.
“Do not open it until you reach home,” said the White Cat. “Then, when your father sees what is inside of it he will know that you are the one who deserves the kingdom.”
The Prince thanked the cat, and mounted his own horse, which had been brought from the stables, and rode on home. Just before he reached his father’s palace he bought an ugly dog from a beggar, and took it with him.
When he entered the palace he went at once to the room where his father sat upon his throne with his two elder sons by him.
When the two princes saw their younger brother enter the court with the ugly dog at his heels they laughed aloud with scorn. They felt very sure that now the kingdom would belong to them.
The King was very much offended. He spoke to the young Prince harshly. “Why do you bring such an ugly cur to my court?” he asked. “Have you no more respect for my wishes than to present me with such a dog as that?”
The Prince, however, answered gently, “Dear father, have patience for a moment and I may offer you something that will please you better.”
He then drew out the acorn and opened it. Inside it was a tiny satin cushion, and upon this cushion lay a dog so small and so exquisite that the King was filled with wonder. He could scarcely believe his eyes.
“Truly you deserve to have the kingdom at once,” cried he, “but I have promised that there shall be three trials before I give the kingdom to any one of you.”
The King then told the princes that he wished them to bring him a piece of muslin so fine and delicate that it could be drawn through the eye of a needle. Whichever one succeeded best should receive at least a part of the kingdom.
The three princes at once set out on this new errand. The elder brothers sought out the dealers in great cities as before, but the youngest Prince rode straight to the castle of the White Cat.
The cat received him kindly. “I know what is required of you,” she said. “Do not trouble yourself in the matter. Stay here with me, and when the proper time arrives you shall have what is needed.”
So the Prince stayed there in the White Cat’s palace for a year, all but three days, and the time passed even more pleasantly than before. At the end of that time the White Cat gave a walnut to the Prince. “Take this,” she said, “and do not open it until you are at home again. Within it you will find what you desire.”
The Prince took the walnut and rode away. When he reached the court his brothers were already there. Each had brought with him a piece of muslin so fine that it would pass through the eye of a darning-needle, but they could not draw it through the eye of a cambric needle.
Then the third Prince took out the walnut and cracked it. Within it he expected to see a piece of muslin, but instead he found only a hazel-nut. He cracked the hazel-nut and inside of it was a cherry-stone. He cracked the cherry-stone and inside of it was a grain of wheat. The Prince began to fear the White Cat had deceived him, and that he must lose the kingdom. As for his brothers, they laughed aloud and mocked at him.
“What trick is this that you are playing on us?” they asked. “If you have the muslin show it to us, and if not then confess to our father that you have failed.”
Without answering, the Prince cracked the grain of wheat, and inside it was a millet-seed. His heart sank. However, he cracked the millet seed, and there was the piece of muslin the cat had promised to him. He shook it out and there were ells and ells of it and all as fine as gossamer. Never had such a piece of cloth been seen before. The King looked and wondered and admired. The muslin was so fine it could be drawn not only through the eye of a darning-needle, but through the eye of a cambric needle as well.
“This is a wonderful piece of cloth,” said the King to the young Prince. “You have indeed again deserved the kingdom, but there is one more task to be performed before I can give it to anyone. I wish you to bring to me the most beautiful princess in the world. Whichever of you can do this shall receive at least a half of the kingdom.”
When the elder brothers heard this they were in haste to set out. The youngest brother had already brought to their father the smallest and prettiest dog in the world, and the finest piece of muslin, but with good luck one of them might still bring to him the most beautiful princess. They journeyed away to far kingdoms where there were princesses who were famed for their beauty; but the youngest prince rode no place at all but to the palace of the White Cat.
The cat welcomed him even more kindly than before. “I know what you have come to seek,” said she. “This matter is not so easy as the others were. But do not be downhearted. I will help you when the proper time comes.”
Again the days passed pleasantly in the White Cat’s castle, and the Prince was well content to stay there. He was so happy that a whole year, all but a day, slipped by before he thought about it. Then one morning he awoke, and remembered that the next day he must be back at the King’s palace with the most beautiful princess in the world, if he were to win the kingdom. “Alas, alas!” he cried. “The kingdom is certainly lost to me. I have no time left to seek for a princess, and moreover it is a three days’ journey back to the palace. Before I reach there the kingdom will certainly have been divided between my brothers.”
“Have I not promised to help you?” asked the cat. “Why do you trouble yourself? If you do exactly as I tell you the kingdom will be yours; and not that kingdom only, but others beside.”
The cat then told the Prince to draw his sword and cut off her head, but the Prince refused to do such an act. He was filled with horror at the bare thought of it.
The White Cat began to weep bitterly. “What have I not done for you?” she cried; “and you will not do even this one thing for me.”
She wept and lamented so bitterly that at last the Prince could refuse no longer. He drew his sword to cut off the cat’s head, but at the same time he closed his eyes that he might not see the cruel deed.
When he opened his eyes again what was his wonder to see no cat, but a beautiful princess who stood before him smiling. Never had he seen such beauty before.
“Prince,” said the Princess, “you have saved me from a cruel fate. I was taken by the fairies when I was a baby and lived with them as a daughter until I grew up. Then I made them angry because I would not marry a very rich and ugly dwarf who was a friend of theirs. They then changed me and all my companions into cats, and we were obliged to live in these shapes until some young and kind-hearted prince would cut off my head. This you have done, and now we are all restored to our proper shapes again. This shows me that the fairies have forgiven me and will give me back the two kingdoms that were mine by rights.”
The Princess, a cat no longer, then ordered the wooden horse to be brought to the door. She and the Prince mounted upon it, and away they went, so fast that the wind whistled past their ears. The three day’s journey was made in less than a day, and when the Prince led the Princess into court, everyone was obliged to own that now he had indeed fairly won the kingdom. His two brothers had also brought home with them beautiful princesses, but neither could compare in beauty with the bride of the youngest Prince; for his bride she had promised to be.
As soon as a feast could be prepared, she and the young Prince were married.
As the Princess had already two kingdoms of her own she begged the old King to divide his kingdom between his two elder sons. This was done, the older princes were married to the beauties they had brought home with them, and they all lived in love and happiness forever after.
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